What is Aldactone (Spironolactone)?
Aldactone (spironolactone) is a potassium-sparing diuretic that removes excess fluid from the body in congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, and kidney disease. It also can be used in combination with other drugs to treat diuretic-induced low potassium (hypokalemia) and high blood pressure. Aldactone also is used to counteract the effects of excessive adrenal aldosterone production (hyperaldosteronism) that can occur from a tumor in the adrenal gland or enlarged adrenal glands (hyperplasia of the adrenal glands).
Aldactone and its active metabolites are specific pharmacologic antagonists of aldosterone, acting primarily through competitive binding of receptors at the aldosterone-dependent sodium-potassium exchange site in the distal convoluted renal tubule. Aldactone causes increased amounts of sodium and water to be excreted, while potassium is retained. Aldactone acts both as a diuretic and as an antihypertensive drug by this mechanism. It may be given alone or with other diuretic agents that act more proximally in the renal tubule.
Recommendations for use of Aldactone (Spironolactone)
Aldactone removes excess fluid from the body in congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, and kidney disease.
It also can be used in combination with other drugs to treat elevated blood pressure, and for treating diuretic-induced low potassium (hypokalemia).
Aldactone also is used to counteract the effects of excessive adrenal aldosterone production (hyperaldosteronism). Aldosterone overproduction can occur from a tumor in the adrenal gland or enlarged adrenal glands (hyperplasia of the adrenal glands).
Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic. Sometimes called "water pills," diuretics help the kidneys expel water and salt in urine while retaining potassium.
The drug may also be used in combination with other medications to treat precocious (early) puberty and myasthenia gravis, a neuromuscular disease.
Aldactone is sometimes used to treat women with persistent adult acne due to increased androgen levels, because the drug is able to inhibit the activity of sebaceous glands.
Aldactone is also used off-label to treat female-pattern hair loss and hirsutism.
Dosage and direction of taking Aldactone (Spironolactone)
Read the Medication Guide and the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using Aldactone and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Aldactone may be taken with or without food. The dosage range is 25 - 400mg daily in single or divided doses.
The initial dose for treating edema in adults is 100 mg daily as a single dose or divided doses. The dose may be adjusted after 5 days based on response. The recommended dose range is 25 to 200 mg daily. The initial dose should be continued for at least 5 days before increasing the dose. If there is no adequate response after 5 days, a second diuretic may be added.
The dose for treating high blood pressure (hypertension) is 50 to 100 mg daily in single or divided doses.
The dose for treating hypokalemia is 25 to 100 mg daily.
If you feel the effect of your medicine is too weak or too strong, do not change the dose yourself, but ask your doctor
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse while using Aldactone.
Missed Dose of Aldactone (Spironolactone)
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time to take your next dose. Do not take an dose of medicine to make up the missed dose.
Overdose of Aldactone (Spironolactone)
If you think you have taken more than the required dose contact a poison control center or emergency room at once. NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
Overdose symptoms may include overactive reflexes, loss of coordination, severe drowsiness or weakness, fainting, dilated pupils, weak or shallow breathing, or seizure (convulsions).
How does Aldactone (Spironolactone) work?
Aldactone (spironolactone) is a potassium-sparing diuretic (water pill) that prevents your body from absorbing too much salt and keeps your potassium levels from getting too low.
Aldactone is used to treat heart failure, high blood pressure (hypertension), or hypokalemia (low potassium levels in the blood).
Aldactone also treats fluid retention (edema) in people with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, or a kidney disorder called nephrotic syndrome.
Aldactone is also used to diagnose or treat a condition in which you have too much aldosterone in your body. Aldosterone is a hormone produced by your adrenal glands to help regulate the salt and water balance in your body.
Precautions before taking Aldactone (Spironolactone)
Aldactone carries a black-box warning for tumor risk.
Aldactone should NOT be taken with potassium-supplementing drugs or diets because the excessive potassium intake may cause hyperkalemia, which can lead to abnormal heart rhythms.
Avoid a diet high in salt. Too much salt will cause your body to retain water and can make this medication less effective.
Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes, unless your doctor has told you to.
You should not use Aldactone (Spironolactone) if you are allergic to it, or to any medicine with Spironolactone
Your doctor should also know if you have severe heart failure, because hyperkalemia has an increased risk of death in such cases.
If you have liver problems such as cirrhosis, as even minor changes in fluid and electrolyte balance may cause liver-related coma.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Aldactone may harm an unborn baby if you use the medicine during pregnancy.
It may not be safe to breast-feed a baby while you are using Aldactone. Ask your doctor about any risks.
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use Aldactone or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired. Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.
Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of Aldactone. Do not drink alcohol while taking this medication.
About other prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Taking Aldactone together with certain medicines or products may cause serious, life-threatening side effects.
Side Effects of Aldactone (Spironolactone)
Aldactone may have unwanted side effects in some people. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.
Tell your pharmacist or doctor as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Aldactone.
The more common side effects of Aldactone (Spironolactone) can include:
Vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain or cramps
Dry mouth and thirst
Dizziness, unsteadiness, and headache
Gynecomastia (enlarged breast tissue) in men, and breast pain in women
Irregular menstrual periods and post-menopausal vaginal bleeding
Erectile dysfunction
Deepening of the voice and increased hair growth
Drowsiness, tiredness, and restlessness
If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the above side effects are more serious do talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Tell your pharmacist or doctor immediately if you notice any of the following Serious Side Effects:
Muscle pain or weakness
Numbness or tingling
Paralysis in the arms or legs
Arrhythmia
Confusion, extreme tiredness, and fainting
Unusual bleeding or bruising
Life-threatening skin reactions
Flu-like symptoms, pain in the upper right abdomen, loss of appetite, vomiting blood, or bloody stools
Difficulty breathing or swallowing
Decreased urination
The above list includes very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation. These side effects are very rare. Tell your pharmacist or doctor if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed above may occur in some patients. Do not be alarmed by the lists of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them. Ask your pharmacist or doctor if you have any questions.
Interaction with Aldactone (Spironolactone)
Inform your doctor about any medications that you are taking including prescription medications, over the counter medications, vitamins, supplements and herbal remedies. Do not start, stop and change the dosage of any medicine without your doctor's permission.
You should NOT use Aldactone if you are allergic to spironolactone, or if you have:
Addison's disease (an adrenal gland disorder)
high levels of potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia)
if you are unable to urinate
if you are also taking eplerenone.
To make sure Aldactone is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of calcium, magnesium, or sodium in your blood)
kidney disease
liver disease
heart disease
Also tell your doctor if you are using any of the following medicines:
colchicine
digoxin
lithium
loperamide
trimethoprim
heart or blood pressure medicine (especially another diuretic)
medicine to prevent a blood clot
NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.
This list is not complete and there are many other medicines that can interact with Aldactone.
Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.
Storage of Aldactone (Spironolactone)
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Store at 15°C - 30°C (59°F - 86°F)
protect drug from excessive light, humidity, and temperature over 30°C (86°F)
Keep Aldactone tablets in the container that they came in and keep the container tightly closed.
Throw away capsules that are no longer needed or expired (out of date).
Medicines should not be disposed of via waste water or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. This will help to protect the environment.
Aldactone should not be used after the given expiration date.
Scientific Information about Aldactone or Spironolactone
Formula: Aldactone | C14H22CIN3O2
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